Aston Villa vs Olympiacos LIVE: Europa Conference League result and reaction after El Kaabi hat-trick in semi-final first leg

A first European semi-final since 1982 for the Villa Park club under Unai Emery

Aston Villa train for UECL semi-final against Olympiacos

Aston Villa mounted a comeback either side of half-time but ultimately were far too open defensively and suffered a 4-2 defeat in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against Olympiacos.

Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby netted either side of the interval, during which there was a medical emergency involving a fan, after Ayoub El Kaabi had scored twice for the Greek outfit. However, the visiting forward then immediately netted a penalty for his hat-trick and Ezri Konsa deflected in another goal for Olympiacos’ fourth, before Douglas Luiz missed a late penalty to leave Villa a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Olympiacos remain chasing a double, fighting for the title in the Greek top flight, fourth place but only one point off second - and now they have one foot in the final in Europe, too. Follow the action from the first leg below and see the Aston Villa vs Olympiacos predictions and latest odds here.

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

• No goal - Bailey heads in from close range but Lenglet’s foul means it’s ruled out
• GOAL! 16’ - El Kaabi scores, the offside flag goes up - but a VAR check says it stands! (0-1)
• GOAL! 28’ - El Kaabi nets his brace with a fine run and finish under Olsen (0-2)
• GOAL! 45’ - Watkins finishes brilliantly right before half time (1-2)
• GOAL! 50’ - Diaby flashes a finish inside the near post soon after the restart (2-2)
• GOAL! 55’ - El Kaabi scores penalty for his hat-trick after Douglas Luiz handball (2-3)
• GOAL! 67’ - Hezze’s long-range strike is deflected off Konsa and in (2-4)
• PENALTY MISSED - 82’ - Luiz sends spot kick wide off the post after Duran is fouled

[2 May 2024 19:07 · Karl Matchett]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

And the visiting side’s lineup!

Former Premier League winger Daniel Podence is there, who used to be with Wolves, as is ex-Leicester midfielder Vicente Iborra.

Olympiacos XI: Tzolakis, Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega, Hezze, Iborra, Chiquinho, Podence, El Kaabi, Fortounis.

[2 May 2024 19:05 · Karl Matchett]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

Villa lineup is in - Olsen in net as expected and Rogers keeps his place after a great run of form.

Villa XI: Olsen, Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne, Bailey, McGinn, Luiz, Rogers, Diaby, Watkins

[2 May 2024 18:50 · Karl Matchett]

Unai Emery has total trust in Aston Villa’s deputy goalkeeper Robin Olsen

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says he has full faith in deputy goalkeeper Robin Olsen going into Thursday’s Europa League Conference semi-final first leg with Olympiacos.

The Sweden international will play as number one Emiliano Martinez is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the competition so far, with two of them coming in the quarter-final second-leg win in Lille.

Olsen may well have been playing anyway as Martinez sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea, with the 34-year-old coming on at half-time.

[2 May 2024 18:40 · Karl Matchett]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

The other match tonight is Fiorentina vs Club Brugge - naturally, the winners there and in this tie will be meeting in the final.

This year, the Europa Conference League final is being held in Athens...another big incentive, then, for Villa’s opponents to go the distance.

We’ll also keep you posted from the Europa League semis played tonight:

Roma vs Leverkusen

Marseille vs Atalanta.

All matches kick off at 8pm BST.

[2 May 2024 18:30 · Karl Matchett]

The hidden gems and Premier League misfits leading Olympiacos to Greek football history

Aston Villa, the only English left in Europe, are preparing for a semi-final in the Europa Conference League, but ultimately believe they will eventually reach a higher place than the third tier of European club football.

For their opponents, Olympiacos, this is as big as it gets for them in recent years, and they are doing it with some of the castaway members from Premier League clubs.

It is a first-ever appearance in a European semi-final for Thrylos, their place in the final four has been in jeopardy on multiple occasions along the way.

Nathan Edwards looks at Villa’s opponents tonight:

[2 May 2024 18:20 · The Independent]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

Tonight’s match is on TNT Sports. You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.

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[2 May 2024 18:10 · Karl Matchett]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

Aston Villa and Olympiacos vie for a place in a European final as the two clubs meet in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League.

Unai Emery’s side survived a penalty shootout to edge out Lille in the last eight and get home advantage first in the two-legged tie.

Their Greek opponents also needed penalties to overcome Fenerbahce, with Konstantinos Tzolakis saving three penalties to continue to build his reputation as a goalkeeper of real promise.

The winner of the encounter will take on either Fiorentina or Club Brugge in the final in Athens on May 29.

Here’s everything you need to know.

[2 May 2024 17:42 · Karl Matchett]

Aston Villa vs Olympiacos - LIVE

Hello and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg, where Aston Villa are playing hosts to Greek side Olympiacos.

It’s a massive chance to land silverware for the Premier League club, who have been resurgent under Unai Emery and could yet seal a top-four finish in England too. For now though it’s full attention on the hunt for a European trophy, meaning they’ll need a decent first-leg result tonight.

Stay tuned for all the team news and match buildup.